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This Chinese New Year, invite "The House Bunny" and "Wild Child" into your house. In the former, an ex-Playboy bunny finally finds a home where she can put her talents to good use while sixteen year old Poppy Moore is a self-obsessed brat who discovers about responsibility and the true meaning of friendship at an English boarding school. Two fun harmless flicks to spend the weekend.

ONE MILLION REASONS WHY LOVE MATTERS

The competition it seems is getting heated up. According to the latest press release by GV, Jack Neo’s CNY romantic comedy blockbuster LOVE MATTERS has crossed one million dollars. As of Thursday 29 January, the film has earned a cumulative gross box office of S$1,014,787. On Thursday 29 January, LOVE MATTERS was the highest grossing film at the Singapore box office, earning S$86,727 topping competitor films including The Wedding Game and opener Bride Wars.

THE WEDDING GAME GETS AHEAD OF ITS COMPETITION OVER THIS CHINESE NEW YEAR

THE WEDDING GAME starring MediaCorp artistes Fann Wong and Christopher Lee, has collected a solid SGD $843 000 as of yesterday 28th January, with 37 prints screening island-wide. The movie tops the daily box office charts for the first three days since opening on 25th January, the eve of Chinese New Year. It's Jack Vs Fann this CNY.

LOVE MATTERS TOPPED BOX OFFICE

Despite strong competition from the other films opening this CNY, Jack Neo’s romantic comedy blockbuster LOVE MATTERS emerged Number One at the box office with a cumulative figure of S$928,060 (from the period Thursday 22 January to Wednesday 28 January)! Love Matters is currently the highest grossing local film rated NC-16.

Happy 'NIU' Year!

Have you decided on which 'he sui pian' you are betting your angpow money on? Is it Sandra Ng's outrageous comedy, "All's Well End's Well 2009"? Our 'Ah Jie' Fann Wong and real-life beau Christopher Lee's "The Wedding Game"? Or Jack Neo's latest venture, "Love Matters"? Before we go for our steamboat, the MX Team would like to wish everyone a very Happy Niu Year! Many happy returns and the capsized economy be revive soon.

Pre-OSCARS 2009

A quick rundown of this year Academy Awards nominees to watch out for: "Slumdog Millionaire", "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", "Doubt", "Milk", "The Reader", "Wall-E", "Changeling", "The Wrestler" and of course, the most disappointing of all "The Dark Knight" which garnered mostly technical awards nominations with the exception of the late Heath Ledger for his last supporting performance. The full nominees can be view here. Results will be announced on the 22nd of February.

Who Wants To Listen To A Slumdog Millionaire?

Slumdog Millionaire may have scored four for four (Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay - Motion Picture and Best Original Score - Motion Picture.) at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards, but it isn’t stopping there.

Oscars, here comes “the little-movie-that-could”, as deemed by The New York Times.

In the just-announced nominations for the 81st Academy Awards, the Danny Boyle-directed movie garnered a whopping 10 nominations, including a Best Original Score nod for A.R. Rahman and two Best Original Song nods for the tunes “Jai Ho” and “O… Saya”, both included on the film’s soundtrack, composed by Rahman and M.I.A.’s first N.E.E.T./Interscope Records release.

The album also became top dog on iTunes, moving to the #1 position ahead of Taylor Swift and Kanye West. Rahman’s propulsive score is central to the modern grit and uplifting humanity that pervades Danny Boyle’s intoxicating film.

Says Rahman, “We wanted it edgy, upfront. Danny wanted it loud.”

What is in store for us? We’ll tell you when we review the soundtrack album soon, so watch out for it!

The soundtrack album is available at all good record stores.
Slumdog Millionaire opens 12 February.

Behind The Reel Wedding

We just had an interview session with our very own 'Ah Jie' Fann Wong and real-life beau, Christopher Lee for their upcoming 'he sui pian' "The Wedding Game". Both stars looking real radiant that you can feel their chemistry and glow. Stay tuned for the full coverage coming real soon...

Transporter 3 surpasses Transporter 1 and 2

The latest Transporter franchise, "Transporter 3" has surpassed its predecessors, Transporter 1 and 2 which grossed $649,775 and $550,508 in 2002 and 2005 respectively with a box-office of $662,519 as todate. "Transporter 3" is still showing in cinemas. Comes july, Jason Statham will be back in "Crank 2: High Voltage".

9 reasons why Blu-ray will succeed

Still unsure over Blu-ray future? Hop over to CNET.com why the hi-def Blu-ray format will succeed. Earlier, we analyse the differences between DVD and Blu-ray, hover here if you missed it.

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Based on Takeru Kaido’s best-selling novel, "The Glorious Team Batista" revolves around a group of distinguished surgeons who established a bold and innovative surgical procedure where failing hearts can be treated to work again. "Murder of the Inugami Clan", a whodunnit movie which is filled with multiple seemly impossible murders that have one character dropping dead one after another. For something less brainy and eye candy, "Boys Over Flowers The Movie" is the ultimate crowd-pleasing movie for the woman fanbase.

All's Well End's Well Mall Appearance

Here's a video clip from the All's Well End's Well mall appearance courtesy of Stefan. Interview with the cast and director can be found here

Benjamin Button Getting Make Up

Suspect X Trailer + Poster

Detective Galileo VS a genius Mathematician? Who will win in this battle of wits? Kou Shibasaki from Shaolin Girl and Masaharu Fukuyama stars in "Suspect X" based on a novel series by Keigo Higashino. Click here for the trailer and latest poster image.

Look For A Star Latest Poster

We just received the latest 'very glam and well-done' poster for "Look For A Star", the latest romantic comedy starring Andy Lau and Shu Qi. Movie opens 12 February. Click here to view the full version.

The 2009 Golden Globe Awards

And the winners are:
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama - Kate Winslet for Revolutionary Road

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Kate Winslet for The Reader

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama - Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture - Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight

Best Motion Picture, Drama - Slumdog Millionaire

Best Animated Feature Film - Wall-e

Best Screenplay, Motion Picture - Simon Beaufoy for Slumdog Millionaire

Best Original Score, Motion Picture - A.R. Rahman for Slumdog Millionaire

Best Director, Motion Picture - Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy - Colin Farrell for In Bruges

Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy - Vicky Cristina Barcelona

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Ryan Philippe leads an all-star cast in "Stop Loss", an inspirational film about family, friends, loyalty and camaraderie. Our local acclaimed director Eric Khoo shows off his magic dust in "My Magic". From the director of The Return (2003) comes "The Banishment" about a man who is distressed in his quest to find answers to some dumbfounding life questions. Heavy stuff but that's what life is all about at times.

Golden Village Officially Launches iGV

Movie patrons will now get to experience the ease and comfort of accessing movie information at their fingertips with their iPhone. Since December last year, iPhone users were able to download the iGV application and icon on their handsets. GV’s very own iPhone native ticketing application allow movie patrons to access information such as current movies being screened, coming attractions, movie session timings as well as details about GV’s various cinema details. iGV also allows the movie-goer to watch movie trailers. Since 12th December 2008, there are more than 20,000 users that had downloaded iGV from the Apple iTunes Store, setting the record of iGV as the number one download worldwide within the free category of Apple Worldwide during that month. More here

“DOUBT” Stellar Cast Performances Scores High in Awards Nominations

DOUBT with its stunning cast performances took-off to a great start sweeping 5 impressive nominations at the 66th Annual Golden Globe® Awards. The movie boasts of a star-studded cast led by Academy Award® winner, Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The movie is nominated for the following Golden Globe® Awards:
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama) - Meryl Streep
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Amy Adams
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Viola Davis
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - Philip Seymour Hoffman
Best Screenplay - John Patrick Shanley. Directed by John Patrick Shanley, based on his stage play, DOUBT will be released in Singapore theatres on January 29.

A Game of Bride Wars

Are you ready to fight for the best wedding in the world? Then play the game!

Curious?

The original soundtrack for David Fincher's "THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON" is composed, conducted, and produced by Alexandre Desplat. Desplat has received Oscar and BAFTA nominations for "The Queen", and the International Film Music Critics Association's 2007 Composer of the Year and Best Original Score for a Fantasy/Science-Fiction film Awards for "The Golden Compass".

The double disc set includes an entire CD devoted to Desplat's Score, and a second to Jazz, Big Band, and '50s Classics by Bix Beiderbecke, The Boswell Sisters, Louis Armstrong, The Platters, and others.

Award-winning composer Alexandre Desplat's Golden Globe nominated score to film is said to have created a mesmerizing sonic mindscape that mirrors the unique emotional world of the movie's lead character, Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt). Based on F.Scott Fitzgerald's short story, the score and movie explore the life of some one who is born an old man and ages backwards.

We are as curious as you are how this will sound, so watch out for our soundtrack album review soon.

The soundtrack album is available at all good record stores. You may also try your luck at winning a copy here, thanks to the kind folks at Universal Music.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON opens 5 February 2009.

SEAL YOUR LOVE ONCE AGAIN WITH LOVE MATTERS

In conjunction with the release of Jack Neo’s new movie Love Matters «幸福万岁», as well as the Chinatown Chinese New Year theme of “Hope and Happiness” (牛转乾坤，幸福万岁), Neo Studios and Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens’ Consultative Committee would like to invite married couples to declare their love and renew their wedding vows at a Mass Reunion Dinner on the 24 January 2009. The event will be held at the open field beside the Singapore Flyer, graced by Guest-of-Honor Dr Lily Neo, MP for Jalan Besar GRC and Adviser to Kreta Ayer Kim Seng GRO’s. Amid the backdrop of Marina Bay’s breathtaking night scene, the dinner promises fun and happiness with the Kreta Ayer- Kim Seng CCC and the cast and crew of Love Matters. Fifty couples will be selected for this grand celebration, of which, Neo Studios is searching for nine couples to be above 80 years old. All couples must be married for at least seven years. Together with each couple, three of their family and friends will be invited to witness their love and share their joy. In addition, they will also be honored with a Certificate of Participation for taking part in this memorable event. Co-directed by local filmmakers, Jack Neo and Gilbert Chan, Love Matters is opening in Singapore on 22 January 2009. More details can be found here: www.gv.com.sg/lovematters

Sandra Ng & Raymond Wong Celebrate Lunar New Year in Singapore

The leading cast for this year’s Lunar New Year hit All's Well End's Well 2009, Sandra Ng and Raymond Wong, along with film director Vincent Kok will be in Singapore next week to promote the film’s upcoming release. Following the crowd-pleasing box office success of the 1992 and 1997 franchise, All’s Well End’s Well 2009 returns to the big screen after 12 years and guarantees not to disappoint audiences with its feel-good family comedy and memorable cast. This 2009 installment includes new faces such as popular artists Louis Koo and Ronald Cheng. Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the opening of All's Well End's Well 2009 from 22nd January island-wide.

Television Watching

Mediacorp Drama "The Little Nyonya" finally ended its amazing run last night cementing its reputation as the highest rated Channel 8 drama from 1994 to 2008-to-date. We humbly offer 5 reasons why it's so popular with our local viewers: 1) A never-before-seen local drama serial on the rich culture and lives of the Peranakan. 2) Exotic costumes, lush set designs and location shooting. 3) A mesmerising theme song by Bossa Nova singer Olivia Ong. 4) A strong cast comprising of veterans, upcoming actors and ex-familiar faces. 5) No Patricia Mok yelling at the top of her voice every night.

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"Forever the Moment" is based on the true story of the 2004 Korean Women's Olympic Handball Team. The perfect film for the sports fan. The evergreen Diane Keaton displays her motherly affection in "Smother". A game of 'Swindler of swindlers' in "The Black Swindler". Some recommendations from us to tide over a slow monday..

From the Land of the Rising Sun

On 12 February, Takeshi Kaneshiro is back in "K-20" as the legendary phantom thief with 20 faces. Shaolin Girl aka Kou Shibasaki and TV heartthrob Masaharu Fukuyama stars in "Suspect X", a spin-off of the television series Galileo. Kenichi Matsuyama from L Change the World stars in this hilarious comedy, "Detriot Metal City". Exciting times ahead...

2008 Worldwide Box-Office Top Ten

Show Me the Money!

1. The Dark Knight - $996.9 million
2. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - $786.6 million
3. Kung Fu Panda - $631.9 million
4. Hancock - $624.4 million
5. Iron Man - $581.9 million
6. Mamma Mia! - $572.2 million
7. Quantum of Solace - $537.1 million
8. WALL-E - $507.3 million
9. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - $457.2 million
10. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - $419.6 million